Trump defends tariffs; Fed chair says higher inflation likely

President Trump is preaching patience as the stock market plummets on news of his across-the-board tariffs. With the global economy reeling by the tariffs, the president is insisting his trade policies “will never change.” He wrote online that “this is a great time to get rich,” telling Americans to “hang tough.” Meanwhile, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the tariffs were “significantly larger than expected” and are “highly likely” to cause more inflation.

White House applauds jobs reports as stock market tumbles

The Trump White House is applauding the latest jobs numbers. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said last month’s addition of 228-thousand jobs was “well ahead of the market’s expectation.” She also pointed to an increase in transportation, construction, and warehousing employment. The White House statement was released against the backdrop of tariff-induced turmoil in the global financial markets.

Intelligence, national security officials fired by Trump

There’s a staff shake-up involving intelligence and national security employees. The Trump administration fired the top two officials at the National Security Agency, including the director who also headed the Pentagon’s U.S. Cyber Command. President Trump also acknowledged the firing of several White House National Security Council officials. The shake-up came a day after far-right activist Laura Loomer met with the president to discuss staff loyalty. He said Loomer sometimes offers advice but claimed she had nothing to do with the recent firings.

As Wall Street plunges, Trump predicts a market “boom”

President Trump remains upbeat about his tariffs even though global stock markets took a nosedive. Asked about the biggest Wall Street sell-off since 2020, the president told reporters he thinks his trade plan is “going very well.” Donald Trump may be upbeat, but the initial response on Wall Street was overwhelmingly negative. The Dow plunged more than 16-hundred points and the Nasdaq sank six percent.

Judge says “fair likelihood” administration violated his deportation order

A federal judge is weighing in on the recent deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members. At a Thursday hearing, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said there’s a “fair likelihood” the Trump administration violated his court order last month. The judge temporarily blocked the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members while he considered a lawsuit challenging the administration’s use of an 18th century law. The administration failed to return two deportation flights that were in the air at the time he issued the order.

Judge to weigh whether administration violated deportation order

A federal judge will hold a hearing over the recent deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members. Last month, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg imposed a two-week ban on deportations of accused members of the Tren de Aragua gang. He issued the pause to consider a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s use of an 18th century law. Boasberg is now probing whether the administration violated that order by failing to return two deportation flights that were in the air at the time he issued the order.

New 25% tariffs on imported autos take effect

In addition to across-the-board tariffs, President Trump also announced a 25 percent tax on auto imports. The tariffs went into effect at midnight on all cars and trucks being shipped to the United States. In his Rose Garden speech, the president complained that while the U-S imports many foreign vehicles, Japan, South Korea, and other nations have put up barriers to American-made automakers. Auto dealers say the 25 percent tariffs will likely result in sharply higher sticker prices.

Amazon offers to buy TikTok as Trump mulls sale

Amazon has put in a bid to buy TikTok. A Trump administration official says the last-minute Amazon offer was sent to Vice President Vance and Commerce Secretary Lutnick. The clock is ticking on the video platform with a U-S ban set to go into effect Saturday. On the day of inauguration, President Trump gave TikTok a reprieve and met this week with senior officials to discuss the coming deadline for a sale.

In trade war escalation, Trump unveils tariffs on all imports

President Trump has unveiled widespread tariffs on all imports in a bid to revive U-S manufacturing and collect tax revenue.  Declaring a national economic emergency, the president rolled out 10 percent tariffs on all imported goods and even higher duties on dozens of countries. The president promised that factory jobs, in the long run, will return to the U-S. But economists, investors, and consumers are wary about price hikes on everyday goods in the short term.

Trump reciprocal tariffs will be half of what the U.S. is charged

President Trump has announced 10 percent tariffs on all imported goods and even higher duties on dozens of countries. Saying that American taxpayers have been “ripped off” for decades, the president unveiled a long list of reciprocal tariffs. He said they’ll be half of what the U-S is charged. For example, China faces a 34 percent tax on imports, South Korea 25 percent, and Japan 32 percent.

Trump’s “Liberation Day” to feature tariffs announcement

President Trump has dubbed it “Liberation Day” — the day he’s announcing sweeping trade tariffs. During a Rose Garden ceremony, the president will impose reciprocal tariffs to match the duties that other countries charge on U-S products. Ahead of this afternoon’s announcement, financial markets have been jittery and many Americans have rushed to buy products they fear will rise in cost as a result of the import taxes.

Supreme Court to hear Planned Parenthood funding case

A case involving Planned Parenthood goes before the U-S Supreme Court. Justices will hear arguments about South Carolina’s effort to block any public health care dollars from going to Planned Parenthood. Federal law prohibits Medicaid money from paying for abortions and the Trump administration is backing the state’s case. Opponents argue that redirecting Medicaid funds will harm low-income citizens. It’ll be up to the high court to decide whether Medicaid patients can sue over their legal right to choose their own qualified provider.

Trump prepping to announce sweeping tariffs plan

President Trump will unveil a new set of tariffs with the goal of boosting products made in America. CEOs, Wall Street investors, and everyday consumers are bracing for the impact of new taxes on imports from other countries. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt predicts the president’s action “will improve American competitiveness.” The president unveils his sweeping tariffs at a Rose Garden ceremony Wednesday afternoon.

Thousands of HHS workers being laid off at NIH, FDA

Thousands of employees in the government’s Health and Human Services Department are being laid off.
The layoffs are expected to affect up to 10-thousand people, many of whom weren’t notified until they showed up for work Tuesday morning and couldn’t access their buildings. The cuts include researchers, scientists, doctors, support staff, and senior leaders at the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and other agencies. Some senior-level NIH employees in the DC area were offered a possible transfer to Alaska and were given 48 hours to respond.

Trump administration deported man to El Salvador in “error”

The Trump administration admits to mistakenly deporting a Maryland man to an El Salvador prison.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says U-S officials made a mistake when the administration arrested and deported the man, who had protected legal status. Despite the “clerical error,” Leavitt says there are no plans to return the man because of his alleged gang ties. However, the man’s attorneys say he has no gang ties and that the government has not produced evidence to support that claim.

Markets, businesses brace for Wednesday’s Trump tariffs

Markets and businesses are bracing for the announcement of new Trump tariffs. The president has dubbed Wednesday “Liberation Day.” It’s when he will raise U-S tariffs to match what other countries charge. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the president is “doing this in the best interest of the American worker.” Businesses are unsure what the tariffs’ impact will be. The stock market has tumbled over the past few weeks. And Goldman Sachs raised its forecast for inflation.

Scientists warn that Trump funding cuts are damaging research

White House: U.S. deports 17 more dangerous gang members

FCC to investigate Disney, ABC TV over “DEI discrimination”

President Trump’s Federal Communications Commission is opening an investigation into the Walt Disney Company and its ABC TV network. In a letter to Disney’s CEO, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said the investigation will see whether the company is “promoting invidious forms of DEI discrimination.” He said he has “significant concerns” about Disney’s practices. The Trump administration has taken aggressive action against the media by shutting down Voice of America and limiting AP’s White House coverage. The FCC currently has open investigations into ABC, CBS, and NBC News.

Trump says he’s considering a third term in office

President Trump says he’s considering ways to serve a third term. The president told NBC News that he’s “not joking” about exploring ways to overcome the U-S Constitution, which limits presidents to two terms in office. He talked about it later with reporters aboard Air Force One, saying “I have had more people ask me to have a third term.” The 22nd Amendment says no one can be elected president more than twice.

Trump angry with Putin, threatens more sanctions

Historic White House tree to be cut down

Social Security Admin backtracks on part of new ID plan

The Social Security Administration is partially backtracking on its plan to require in-person identity checks. The SSA recently announced that it would require all new and existing beneficiaries to travel to a Social Security field office to verify their identity. After a public outcry, the agency made some changes to that plan. It now says people applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income who are not able to use the agency’s website, can complete their claim over the phone. But other SSA applicants will still be required to verify their identities at a field office.

Trump pulled UN ambassador pick to boost House GOP

President Trump pulled the nomination of his pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations — even though his nominee wasn’t controversial. There was no scandal and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s nomination was expected to easily win Senate confirmation. Her nomination was withdrawn because of math. Republicans barely have a majority in the House and need more breathing room to pass the president’s agenda. So the White House decided to keep Stefanik in Congress, even though her nomination advanced out of committee. Donald Trump wrote on social media that it’s “essential” his party maintains “every Republican seat.”